You really can’t blame him, though. He was one of the most recruited players out of high school his senior year. He went to a junior college and drew the attention of big-time football programs.

He settled on Arizona State, but his run in Tempe was short-lived. After just one season, one in which he was suspended from the team twice, Pennel needed a change of scenery.

There was Colorado State University-Pueblo head coach John Wristen, waiting with a net big enough to catch fallen football stars.

A huge, seasoned defensive tackle falling into your lap two weeks before fall camp was like a gift from the football gods.

Then again, Wristen believes in second chances. And sometimes more. Football players, like everyone else he reasoned, are imperfect creatures who make mistakes.

“I talked to him face to face, to look in his eyes and see if he really wanted to be a part of what we’re all about,” Wristen said. “I knew Big Mike would fit in. It doesn’t always happen that way, but it did with him.”

Pennel is one of five Division I transfers who will start for the ThunderWolves on Saturday when they play host to Grand Valley State in a second-round playoff game at the Neta & Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl.

“What I regret the most is that I wasn’t around here for all my four years,” Pennel said. “The team chemistry, the camaraderie, the family atmosphere where everybody wants everybody to succeed, this is where I should’ve come from the very start.”

All four have scored at least once for the ThunderWolves, including Tucker, who plays outside linebacker.

“Things didn’t work out for me at ASU and once I knew I was leaving, I knew I had to be humble and check my ego,” he said. “That was my approach before I found this school. And when I got here, Papa Wristen preached family and told me that I had to work to be a part of it.

“My friend, Matthew Tucker, had been here a year already and I talked to him quite a bit about CSU-Pueblo. He told me about the kind of place that this was, and that if I came to play here, I could still achieve my dreams.”

It took Pennel awhile to assimilate to the Pack way. In his first game with the team, he sacked Northern Colorado quarterback Seth Lobato. He jumped up and made a throat-slashing gesture. The ensuing 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty wiped out the sack and earned Pennel a spot on the bench.

“Mike got here the week before fall camp started and he didn’t really trust us at first,” defensive coordinator Hunter Hughes said. “A lot of times I’d yank him out and yell at him, but I was just trying to keep him from getting into bad situations. I was yelling at him, trying to help him, and he didn’t understand that at first.

“He’s a good player who has gotten better. But he should be dominant at this level. He is good against good players, but when he is playing against lesser talent, he’s got to dominate. From here on out, he’s going to be going against the best.”

The quality of D-II football talent was immediately apparent to Pennel.

“A lot of people on this team and at Division II can play D-I,” he said. “They are at D-II schools for whatever reasons. You can’t just show up around here; you have to bring your ‘A’ game all the time.”

Pennel’s presence was felt immediately. One of the strength’s of this year’s team is its defensive front. So strong is that unit that the Pack shifted from a 3-4 alignment that it has employed the last five years to a 4-3.

Pennel’s numbers in 11 games with the ThunderWolves: 29 tackles, two sacks, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. As a unit, the Pack ranks 21st in the nation against the run, yielding just 113 yards per game.

Pennel’s dream of playing at the next level remains alive.

“The biggest misconception is that you can’t get noticed here,” Pennel said. “And I think it’s the total opposite. I wouldn’t be shy telling guys that they should come to CSU-Pueblo to pursue their dreams.”

Numerous NFL scouts have come through Pueblo, all wanting to see No. 99 in person. Pennel was quick to point out that CSU-Pueblo had more players drafted last season (1) than ASU.

Of course, Pennel’s worry this week is going against a Grand Valley offensive line anchored by another NFL prospect, center Matt Armstrong.

“The biggest change for me is that football is fun again,” said Pennel, who also has lined up at fullback on offense in goal-line situations. “I’ve never had this much fun playing football in my life. Winning a championship with these guys would mean so much to me.”